Lifting Up Small Businesses in Kanawha County

Please make sure you read the instructions for each question carefully and understand the application guidelines as outlined below.

Grant Guidelines

Lifting Up Small Businesses in Kanawha County

2025

Goal: The goal of the Lifting Up Small Businesses in Kanawha County Grant Program is to connect small businesses with the financial resources to grow, expand, and to contribute to the revitalization of our communities by providing them the opportunity to apply for an improvement grant. This will be achieved through mini-grants ranging up to $5,000 and providing access to training and resources. The funding is generously provided by Optimum Business, and the grants are administered by the Charleston Area Alliance. There will be one round of grants distributed in 2025.

Eligible Applicants: Must meet all criteria:

· Small business must have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees; and

· Small business located within county limits of Kanawha County, WV and in one of the following zip codes: 25003, 25015, 25025, 25026, 25035, 25039, 25045, 25054, 25061, 25064, 25067, 25071, 25075, 25079, 25083, 25086, 25102, 25103, 25107, 25110, 25112, 25122, 25126, 25132, 25134, 25136, 25143, 25156, 25160, 25162, 25177, 25177, 25182, 25201, 25202, 25214, 25301, 25302, 25303, 25304, 25305, 25306, 25309, 25311, 25312, 25313, 25314, 25315, 25320, 25320, 25321, 25322, 25323, 25324, 25325, 25326, 25327, 25328, 25329, 25330, 25331, 25332, 25333, 25334, 25335, 25336, 25337, 25338, 25339, 25350, 25356, 25357, 25358, 25360, 25361, 25362, 25364, 25365, 25375, 25387, 25389; and

· Small business operates out of a brick-and-mortar commercial space located in Kanawha County; and

· Been in existence for a minimum of one year at the time of application based on the WV Secretary of State’s documentation; and

· The business must demonstrate in the application that the funding will both help them expand their business and improve the community where they operate; and

· The funding must be utilized by April 30, 2026; and

· Successful small business grantees must agree to be included in promotional materials for the program and when the project is completed, illustrate and document the success of their grant; and

· Must pass a background check.

Please note: Membership with the Charleston Area Alliance or status as an Optimum Business customer will not be considered in application evaluation.

Timeline:

· Application portal opens April 14, 2025

· Application portal closes May 21, 2025

· Grantees announced in Summer 2025

Eligible Use of Funds:

The grants can be used for projects that will improve both the business and the community where they are located.

· Grant funds may be used for beautification projects such as (must have written approval from the property owner to apply for beautification projects):

- Façade improvements

- Exterior Signage

- Landscaping

· Grant funds may be used for marketing such as:

- Multi-media campaigns

- Website improvements

- Printed materials

· Grant funds may be used for business development such as:

- Product expansion

- Interior remodeling

· Grant funds may NOT be used for:

- Staffing

- Payment of delinquent taxes

- Retiring existing debt and liabilities

- Rolling stock

Program Governance:

· The Grant Program is managed by the Charleston Area Alliance and funded by Optimum Business.

· The approval of the grants will be wholly vested with a Selection Committee who will determine the eligibility of the grant applications and the readiness of the applicant to receive funding.

· All projects must be completed by April 30, 2026.

· All grantees will be required to sign a Letter of Agreement with Charleston Area Alliance which summarizes the scope of the project and amount of grant, and reporting requirements.

· All grantees will submit a final report including photographs, copies of receipts, and explanation of meeting grant outcomes.

· Should the grantee sell the business or cease operations of the business prior to the completion of the grant agreement, all grant funds must be repaid to Charleston Area Alliance.

All applicants must provide:

· A completed application including but not limited to;

· Certificate of good standing & a current business license from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office.

· A brief history of the business.

· A description of the business’ products or services.

· An explanation of the business’ competitive advantage and what makes it special.

· Photo of business owner submitting the application.

· Photo of front of the business brick and mortar property.

· If applicable, written approval from the property owner to apply for beautification projects

· Business logo.

· Signed W9

· A background check will be conducted on all finalists, pending their submission of a signed disclosure form. The disclosure form will be emailed to all eligible applicants after the grant portal closes. If we do not receive the signed disclosure form, the applicant will not be eligible to be considered for a mini-grant.

For additional information, please contact Susie Salisbury, Senior Vice President Community Development, or Maria Belcher, Community Development Manager, Charleston Area Alliance at 304-340-4253 or through email at SSalisbury@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org or MBelcher@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.

Physical Address Zip Code*

Contact Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast NameSuffix

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Mobile Number :*

Area CodePhone Number

Email*

example@example.com

Social Security Number *

Date of Birth*

Date

What is the name of your business? *

Business website:

Business social media handles:

Date business was founded: *

Date

Physical Business Address (NO PO Boxes) :*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Business Number:*

Area CodePhone Number

E-mail :*

Where the confirmation will be sent to

Tell us about the history of your business and describe your product and/or services. (max 1,000 characters)*

If you are not the sole owner of your business, please provide the names of any other owners. (If you are the sole owner, type N/A)*

Does this business have operations outside of Kanawha County? (i.e. other storefronts)*

YesNo

If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide locations of operations outside of Kanawha County? (If no, type N/A)*

How many full-time (or full-time equivalent) employees do you have?*

Please provide a copy of your business license from the WV Secretary of State or a local municipality: *

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Please provide a signed copy of your W9:*

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Please provide a picture of the exterior of your business/storefront*

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Please provide a headshot of the business owner(s)*

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Please provide your logo in .jpeg or .png form*

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Is the organization, business, or a listed owner delinquent on any federal, state, or local taxes or assessments; direct or guaranteed loans; leases; contracts; grants; child support payments; or any other obligations?*

YesNo

If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain. (If no, type N/A)*

Does the organization, business or a listed owner have any outstanding judgments, tax liens, pending bankruptcy proceedings, pending lawsuits against them, or pending criminal proceedings?*

YesNo

Does any owner, owner's spouse, or household member work for or serve in an official capacity for the Charleston Area Alliance, Optimum, or any other entity associated with the Lifting Up Small Businesses in Kanawha County Grant Program?*

YesNo

If you answered yes, please explain. (If no, type N/A)*

How much do you request? (maximum of $5,000) *

How do you plan to use the Lifting Up Small Businesses in Kanawha County grant? Please be specific regarding how the grant will enhance both your business and the community. (max 1000 characters)*

0/1000

Did you apply for a beautification project?*

No, I applied for a different use of grant fundsYes, and I own my propertyYes, but I do not own my property**

**If you answered "Yes, but I do not own my property" to the question above, please provide written approval from the property owner here.

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Disclaimers

Sensitive and proprietary business information will not be shared by the Charleston Area Alliance.

Except where prohibited by law, an application submission into this grant program constitutes permission to use the recipient's name provided on the entry form for publicity purposes without further consent.

An application does not guarantee an award or award amount. Awards will be determined on available funds and application submission.

E-Signature

By signing (typing your legal name) in the space below, you agree to the guidelines of this grant as identified above and are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. False or misleading information could result in your application being disqualified. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.

E-Signature:*

Lifting Up Small Businesses in Kanawha County

I. Applicant Business Location Eligibility:

II. Applicant Personal Contact Information:

III. Business Information:

IV. Disclaimers & Applicant's E-Signature